Well, except this guy, of course, who happens to be an all-around, battle-tested search engine optimizer 😉
Ranking high in Google is very doable. People do it all the time. You probably do it, and I, too, rank well for my primary keywords.
It’s easy stuff if you know your way.
Still, no SEO expert should promise you #1 ranking in Google in no time. Let alone guarantee it. More so at the price of one coffee and a sandwich.
SEO is a continuous process that takes time as you create content and build authority. Not to mention, Google might discover your content and decide not to index it.
Besides, we are yet to develop a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to SEO. And that’s because every business is unique, and types of content vary.
Your rankings can hold, rise, or drop at any time, especially with regular Google updates. And there is nothing you or your SEO company can do about algorithm upgrades.
This is especially true if you use black hat SEO tricks to manipulate search engines.
At the same time, the next algorithm update won’t shake your SEO rankings if you stick to the following SEO guidelines.
To reassure you, Google corroborates these guidelines.
#1. Ignore SEOs Who Send You Mail Out of Nowhere
Be wary of anyone who emails you out of the blue promising #1 ranking on Google, especially at unbelievably low rates.
I get these emails (or rather spam) too:
Dear vistawriting.com,
I visited your website and noticed that you are not listed in most of the major search engines and directories…
Even Google gets these messages, so spammers must be hard at work.
But don’t fall for these small-time scams.
See how quickly you dismiss “burn-fat-as-you-sleep” magic pills or “I have $300,000,000 I need to transfer” scams?
Be quick to dismiss unsolicited email about SEO and ranking boosts on search engines.
#2. Nobody Can Guarantee #1 SEO Ranking in Google
Oh yeah, nobody should promise you a #1 ranking in Google or other search engines.
Run from SEOs who “guarantee” rankings, or advertise a “priority submission”, or allege they have “special relationships” with Google.
For starters, Google does not have priority submission
There are two ways to add your site to Google, and they are both easy and free.
To add your site to Google, you can:
- Use the direct Add URL page, or
- Submit a sitemap
I will say it again: both methods are easy and free – you can do them yourself.
Your web content guarantees your rankings. You provide smart and valuable web content, and Google rewards you with high rankings.
It is the way of the new world.
#3. Work Only With Transparent SEOs
“You…you can see me?”
If you don’t understand something (or whatever your SEO does), you have every right to ask questions.
You are the one who cuts the check, right? Or is it cheque? To-mah-to, to-may-to. Since you’re footing the bill, you must know what’s up, and what the SEO is changing on your site.
In their black hat efforts to “score better rankings,” some unscrupulous SEOs might create misleading or deceptive content, including “throwaway” domains and doorway pages, on your behalf.
Such and other black hat techniques will see your site de-indexed and removed from Google entirely. Indefinitely. Or until you get your house in order.
After all, you’re liable for every company you hire, so it’s in your best interest to ensure your SEO uses the recommended SEO techniques.
The only way to do this is by asking them, but if your gut tells you they aren’t telling you the whole truth, there is a better SEO expert out here.
If an SEO has access to your website, they should explain everything they do in terms of SEO. If they can’t or won’t, kick them to the curb.
#4. You Don’t Need To Link To The SEO
Run for the hills if your SEO starts talking about the beauty and power of link popularity schemes, “free-for-all” links, or submitting your website to numerous search engines.
Two, three search engines is okay. Thousands? No.
Are these “SEO” techniques effective? No.
They are all useless – ineffective – and they won’t improve your rankings in search engines.
If they will affect your rankings and bank balance, it will be in a negative way.
Be very careful with your linking.
#5. Be Tactful With Your SEO
You have to choose your SEO, and choose really well, from the launch of your website. Or whenever you need SEO services.
Do your research well.
Google is a good place to start.
Check reviews, and ask around. People offer plenty of good (and, sometimes, bad) advice freely, so don’t be afraid to ask.
And why would you trust an SEO who doesn’t rank anything online? Results, babey. Ask for previous results.
Also, check out cautionary tales like this press release by the Office of the Attorney General about the SEO company Internet Advancement.
Choose wisely lest you find yourself sleeping with SEO dogs who give you nothing but fleas.
#6. Follow Your SEO Money
Make sure you understand how your money is spent.
Some rogue SEOs will pay for better rankings on other search engines (except Google) and lie you’re doing well in organic search results.
Here is the worst part. They increase advertising spend in real-time to show you how easily they can give you better rankings. Don’t fall for it.
It’s impossible to do this on Google because they (Google) clearly distinguish paid advertising from organic search results.
A good SEO will tell you how much they’ve set aside for temporary promotion and how much is for organic rankings.
How Do You Know You Are Dealing With A Rogue SEO?
There are a few signs you boarded the wrong ship as far as SEO goes.
While the following list is a good starting point, you should always trust your gut if you have any doubts.
Hire new talent if your current SEO:
- Uses doorway pages with links to their sites or other clients.
- Has shadow domains.
- Can’t (or won’t) tell the difference between organic search results and sponsored ads.
- Guarantees rankings.
- Operates with falsified WHOIS information.
- Obtains traffic from scumware, spyware, or fake search engines.
- Is himself/herself not listed in Google.
This is not an extensive list, but you can now make an informed decision when hiring an SEO.
Remember:
- Ignore unsolicited emails about SEO no matter how intriguing.
- Nobody can guarantee #1 ranking on Google.
- Work only with transparent SEOs.
- You don’t need to link to the SEO.
- Be tactful.
- Follow your money, and
- Trust your instincts.
To learn more about SEO, please feel free to download this Google SEO Guide.
That will be all.
If you need a web content writer with proven SEO skills, look no further, as I’m available for hire.
Oh, and here is a nice short video on how to choose a Search Engine Optimizer (SEO).
If you have something to add to the discussion, do so in the comment section below, and don’t leave without sharing the article!
See you around.
This Post Has 23 Comments
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Excellent. Thanks for the kind words and passing by 🙂
Great post admin!
Hey Fred, glad to meet with your brilliant writing skills!! You’ve said quite true words, nobody is confident to promise number 1 ranking on Google. It’s a tough job and sticking with Google recommended working rules and policies for a constant time a website can stay top number of Google but because of heavy competition such position is certain to drop up and down.
The competition has never been fiercer especially with the arrival of the Hummingbird. Google has really stepped up the search engine algorithm and a lot has changed since SEO’s earlier years. Now, you have to be smarter and be more picky with the strategies that you use because some of those that helped boost your website’s ranking before may hurt it now. You are right, nobody should promise you #1 ranking on Google. Great post, Freddy!
I was shocked to read the subject of the article that there is no guarantee of #1 position on Google and all the agencies are just wasting time. From the statistics of Google it is clear that they are considering content more than anything else. I think no one can stop you from getting top position if you are continuously updating your website by posting quality content. Definitely it is tough one but I think it is possible to guarantee top position.
Definitely great post to read.
In today’s world nobody can promise you 1st rank on Google. Now SEO is very tough, more composure to update our knowledge day by day because this is the time should be aware about Google updates. SEO is not an easy method and it also required time. But I saw two easy methods in above post and the good thing is that both are easy to use and free. These above mentioned methods give your guarantee ranking.
Great article. I like this information how do you know you are dealing with a rogue SEO. This topic really gain my attraction. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with your points, Google changes update every 6 month 🙁
Great post, Freddy you said right now -a-days its very tough to get ranked on Google but it’s not impossible. It’s tough because now Google changes their algorithm very frequently.
Nice article . Yes ! Content is a king in SEO . SEO helps to increase the website traffic and page rank . Many of the seo company provides Search engine visibility service to the customers to increase their website traffic and page rank
Very nice article mate. It is correct that no one can bet on top rankings these days as so many Google updates are coming up. It is very difficult to guess who is the best in the business.
Thanks for all the good points. This has been very helpful to me. I look forward to more fresh information. The world of SEO is changing all the time and I appreciate the new information.
How long you working with SEO?
Can you post some tips and tricks and help us to learn SEO.
Thanks a lot SEO MASTER!
I never found the article as complete as this,nice job..
Thanks for the article! I am a company SEO expert and I encounter trouble with companies at all times. My suggestions is if you are a business owner or run sites, be careful that you depend do your Search Engine Optimization services or other internet marketing work. Make certain you understand just what they are going to supply you with. And inquire how they concerned the price that they estimate you.
Hi wonderful short article! I happy i stumble across your website today. Sustain the great work and I’ll be back for sure.
Hey nice post… I totally agree… I had a really hard time finding a good video keyword software for youtube… I ran across this video for traffic jeet 2 and it looks pretty good, I’m going to give it a whirl and will let you know how it goes.
Great Article
I dont know where to start, but I personally believe that things are getting too complicated in SEO with each passing day. If you do not keep a track of what is happening around you, you would lose it completely. For a newbie, he would require a month or so to understand the deal with the current logic and how to deal with Pandas and all.
SEO is Search Engine Optimization or Search Engine Optimizer. If implemented correctly and responsibly, it would improve your website. Services offered by SEO’s are search marketing strategy, benchmarks, competitive analysis, keyword analysis, creative copy writing, web design & user experience.
The essentials and basics of SEO change occasionally through the years. These steadily changing circumstances lead the majority of us to take in some new things consistently – and let of a few things old. You see, there are new SEO aptitudes required every year (or from time to time) to stay aware of the change and continue surviving. 2014 is no special case. A considerable measure has changed since a year ago, and there’s a ton of new stuff to be taken in.
Its a great article. Thanks for sharing this helpful information. Now, I will focus on the content of the website